Coin handling mechanism for supplying coins to coin game machines and collecting coins therefrom and gaming facility having the same

ABSTRACT

A gaming facility having a plurality of coin game machines (100) and a coin handling mechanism (200) for supplying coins to the coin game machines and collecting coins therefrom is disclosed. The coin handling mechanism comprises a coin collection transporter (210) for collecting coins input for playing games, a coin replenishment transporter (230) for transporting coins with which the coin game machines are replenished, a replenishment coin supply unit (240) for supplying coins to the coin replenishment transporter, coin branch units (250) for making coins transported by the coin replenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coin game machines, and a controller (300) for at least controlling coin replenishment. The controller comprises elements that cooperate to control a coin supply for dispensing coins to the coin replenishment transporter from the replenishment coin supply unit and elements that cooperate to control coin branching for making coins transported by the coin replenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coin game machines.

TECHNICAL FELD

This invention relates to a gaming facility having a coin game machinegroup where a plurality of coin game machines are placed and a coinhandling mechanism for supplying and collecting coins to and from thecoin game machines, and in particular to an improved coin handlingmechanism and a gaming facility equipped with the improved coin handlingmechanism

RELATED ART

If a given condition is satisfied at a coin game machine for a player toplay games with coins, such as a slot machine, namely, the player wins agame, a given quantity of coins are paid out to the player for thewinning game play. Thus, the coin game machine of this kind needs tostore coins to be paid out for winning game plays and coins input to thegaming machine for playing games. Thus, conventional coin game machinescomprise tanks for storing coins.

Incidentally, if such a conventional coin game machine becomes short ofcoins, personnel replenish the coin game machine with coins. If coinsoverflow the tank, personnel collect the coins. However, a problem isthat personnel replenishing the gaming machine with coins and collectingthe coins therefrom incurs expense in effort. If the gaming machinebecomes short of coins or coins overflow the tank while a player isplaying a game, the game played at the gaming machine must beinterrupted to replenish or collect coins.

For this reason, a system for automatically replenishing a plurality ofcoin game machines with coins and collecting coins therefrom isproposed. Examples of such a system are disclosed in Japanese UtilityModel Laid-Open No. 55-166286 (corresponding U.S. patent: U.S. Pat. No.4,342,384) and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-31392.

In the arts disclosed here, a tank for storing coins is provided foreach slot machine and coins input to the slot machine can be guided intothe tank for circulation. If excessive coins are stored in the tank, thecoins input to the slot machine are guided into a collection conveyor byswitching a switch and are stored in a collection tank common to theslot machines. If the tank of any slot machine becomes short of coins,it is replenished with coins from the common collection tank through atransporter.

However, according to the prior art, a switch is required for divertinginput coins from the tank to the collection conveyor or from thecollection conveyor to the tank, increasing the cost of the systemaccordingly, and there is a fear that a coin jam will occur at theswitch.

To recycle input coins in the same slot machine, a guide passage isrequired for guiding the coins into the tank of the slot machine,complicating the structure and requiring extra parts, leading to anincrease in manufacturing costs.

Further, in the conventional replenishment mechanism, coins arereplenished or collected simply depending on an excess or shortage ofcoins detected by a sensor. That is, sufficient management of the coinsin quantities such as the number of replenished coins, the number ofpaid-out coins, and the number of input and collected coins was notdone.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a coin handling mechanismhaving a structure as simple as possible, for reducing a cost and makingit difficult for a coin jam to occur, and capable of executingnumber-of-coins management for actually handled coins, as well as agaming facility having the coin handling mechanism.

To accomplish the object, according to a first aspect of the invention,there is provided coin handling mechanism being placed in a gaming househaving at least one coin game machine group containing a plurality ofcoin game machines for supplying coins to the coin game machinesbelonging to the coin game machine group and collecting coins from thecoin game machines, the coin handling mechanism comprising:

a coin collection transporter for receiving coins input for playing agame in each coin game machine and transporting and collecting thecoins;

a coin replenishment transporter for transporting coins with which thecoin game machines belonging to the coin game machine group arereplenished;

a replenishment coin supply unit for storing replenishment coins andsupplying coins to the coin replenishment transporter;

coin branch units being provided in a one-to-one correspondence with thecoin game machines for making coins transported by the coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coingame machines;

a number-of-supplied-coins counter for counting the number of coinsdischarged from the replenishment coin supply unit;

a number-of-collected-coins counter for counting the number of coinscollected at the coin collection transporter; and

a controller for at least controlling coin replenishment,

the controller comprising:

coin supply control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and dispensing coins to the coinreplenishment transporter from the replenishment coin supply unit untilacceptance of a coin replenishment stop request; and

coin branch control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and causing the coin branch unitcorresponding to the coin game machine to make coins transported by thecoin replenishment transporter branch therefrom into the coin gamemachine.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided agaming facility having a coin game machine group to which a plurality ofcoin game machines belong and a coin handling mechanism for supplyingcoins to the coin game machines and collecting coins therefrom,characterized in that

each of the coin game machines comprises:

a coin acceptor for accepting coin input;

a game execution section for executing a predetermined game providedthat coin input is accepted by the coin acceptor and outputting awinning signal instructing a predetermined number of coins to be paidout if a player wins a game play;

a coin dispenser for dispensing a predetermined number of coins inresponse to the winning signal; and

a coin return for receiving and holding coins dispensed from the coindispenser, the coin dispenser having a dispensing hopper for storing atleast as many coins as required for one dispensing operation and uponacceptance of winning information, dispensing as many coins as thenumber specified by the winning information to the coin return, and that

the coin handling mechanism comprises:

a coin collection transporter for receiving coins input to the coinacceptor therefrom and transporting and collecting the coins;

a coin replenishment transporter for transporting coins with which thecoin game machines are replenished;

a replenishment coin supply unit for storing replenishment coins andsupplying coins to the coin replenishment transporter;

coin branch units being provided in a one-to-one correspondence with thecoin game machines for making coins transported by the coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coindispensers;

a number-of-supplied-coins counter for counting the number of coinsdischarged from the replenishment coin supply unit;

a number-of-collected-coins counter for counting the number of coinscollected at the coin collection transporter; and

a controller for at least controlling coin replenishment,

the controller comprising:

coin supply control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and dispensing coins to the coinreplenishment transporter from the replenishment coin supply unit untilacceptance of a request to stop replenishing the coin game machine withcoins; and

coin branch control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and causing the coin branch unitcorresponding to the coin game machine to make coins transported by thecoin replenishment transporter branch therefrom into the correspondingcoin dispenser until acceptance of a request to stop replenishing thecoin game machine with coins.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a coinhandling mechanism being placed in a gaming house having at least onecoin game machine group containing a plurality of coin game machines forsupplying coins to the coin game machines belonging to the coin gamemachine group and collecting coins from the coin game machines, the coinhandling mechanism comprising:

a coin collection transporter for receiving coins input for playing agame in each coin game machine and transporting and collecting thecoins;

a coin replenishment transporter for transporting coins with which thecoin game machines belonging to the coin game machine group arereplenished;

a replenishment coin supply unit for storing replenishment coins andsupplying coins to the coin replenishment transporter;

coin branch units being provided in a one-to-one correspondence with thecoin game machines for making coins transported by the coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coingame machines;

a number-of-supplied-coins counter for counting the number of coinsdischarged from the replenishment coin supply unit;

a number-of-collected-coins counter for counting the number of coinscollected at the coin collection transporter; and

a controller for at least controlling coin replenishment,

the controller comprising:

coin supply control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and dispensing a predetermined number ofcoins to the coin replenishment transporter from the replenishment coinsupply unit by making reference to a count of thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter; and

coin branch control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and causing the coin branch unitcorresponding to the coin game machine to make coins transported by thecoin replenishment transporter branch therefrom into the coin gamemachine.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, there isprovided a gaming facility having a coin game machine group to which aplurality of coin game machines belong and a coin handling mechanism forsupplying coins to the coin game machines and collecting coinstherefrom, characterized in that

each of the coin game machines comprises:

a coin acceptor for accepting coin input;

a game execution section for executing a predetermined game providedthat coin input is accepted by the coin acceptor and outputting awinning signal instructing a predetermined number of coins to be paidout if a player wins a game play;

a coin dispenser for dispensing a predetermined number of coins inresponse to the winning signal; and

a coin return for receiving and holding coins dispensed from the coindispenser,

the coin dispenser having a dispensing hopper for storing at least asmany coins as required for one dispensing and upon acceptance of winninginformation, dispensing operation as many coins as the number specifiedby the winning information to the coin return, and that

the coin handling mechanism comprises:

a coin collection transporter for receiving coins input to the coinacceptor and transporting and collecting the coins;

a coin replenishment transporter for transporting coins with which thecoin game machines are replenished;

a replenishment coin supply unit for storing replenishment coins andsupplying coins to the coin replenishment transporter;

coin branch units being provided in a one-to-one correspondence with thecoin game machines for making coins transported by the coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coindispensers;

a number-of-supplied-coins counter for counting the number of coinsdischarged from the replenishment coin supply unit;

a number-of-collected-coins counter for counting the number of coinscollected at the coin collection transporter; and

a controller for at least controlling coin replenishment,

the controller comprising:

coin supply control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and dispensing a predetermined number ofcoins to the coin replenishment transporter from the replenishment coinsupply by making reference to a counter of the number-of-supplied-coinscounter; and

coin branch control means for accepting a request for replenishing anycoin game machine with coins and causing the coin branch unitcorresponding to the coin game machine to make coins transported by thecoin replenishment transporter branch therefrom into the coin gamemachine.

The coin handling mechanism and the gaming facility of the inventionassume use of coins accepted as the actual currency, but tokens, such asmedals not usable as normal currency, may also be used.

BREF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a gaming facility of a firstembodiment of the invention and a coin handling mechanism used with thegaming facility;

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the gaming facility of the firstembodiment of the invention and the coin handling mechanism used withthe gaming facility in detail;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware system constitution of agame execution section of a slot machine used in embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing the connection relationships among acontroller used in each embodiment of the invention, sensors for sendinginformation to the controller, and drive sections of componentscontrolled by the controller;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware system constitution ofthe controller used in each embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the constitutions of coin branch unitsused in each embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the detailed constitution of the coinbranch unit used in each embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control procedure of thecontroller used in each embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing an example of a list of equipmentwhose operation is to be stopped when a jam occurs;

FIG. 10 is an illustration showing an example of a list to showequipment whose operation is to be stopped when a motor error occurs;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a replenishment procedure in the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a jam and motor error handling procedurein each embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an overflow handling procedure in a coinholding vessel used in each embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a sales coins collection procedure;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a replenishment procedure in a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is an illustration showing the constitution of a slot machineused with a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 17 is an illustration showing the constitution of a slot machineused with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there are shown embodimentsof the best mode for carrying out the invention.

In the following embodiments we will discuss a gaming facility having aplurality of coin game machines and a coin handling mechanism used withthe gaming facility. In the embodiments, slot machines are used as thecoin game machines. The invention can also be applied to gaming machinesother than the slot machines. In the embodiments, coins accepted as thecurrency are used, but tokens shaped like coins may also be used.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a gaming facility of a first embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming facility of the embodimenthave a slot machine group to which a plurality of slot machines 100-1,100-2, and 100-3 belong and a coin handling mechanism 200 for supplyingand collecting coins to and from the slot machines 100-1, 100-2, and100-3. Each of the slot machines 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 is placed on acabinet 10 made up of a frame and a cover board, although not shown indetail. Some components of the coin handling mechanism 200 areaccommodated in the cabinets 10, namely, they are placed below the slotmachines 100. Other components of the coin handling mechanism 200 areaccommodated in another cabinet 20 disposed adjoining the cabinet 100.Of course, the cabinets 10 and 20 may be constructed integrally.

In the first embodiment and other embodiments below, three slot machines100 are installed for convenience, but the number of slot machinesinstalled is not limited to three. Generally, a larger number of slotmachines belong to one slot machine group. In the embodiment, the slotmachines are placed on a row. However, they may be placed on two rows.The slot machines differ only in placement position; they are the samein constitution. A plurality of gaming facilities of this kind areplaced in a gaming house.

The slot machine 100 comprises a coin acceptor 110 for accepting coininput, a game execution section 120 for executing a predetermined gameprovided that coin input is accepted by the coin acceptor 110 andoutputting a winning signal instructing a predetermined number of coinsto be paid out if a player wins a game play, a coin dispenser 130 forpaying out a predetermined number of coins in response to the winningsignal, and a coin return 140 being placed in the coin dispenser 130 forreceiving and holding coins paid out from the coin dispenser 130.

The coin acceptor 110 has a coin inlet 111 for inputting coins and acoin selector 112 (see FIG. 3) for selecting only coins available withthe slot machine from the input coins, counting the selected coins,sending the count to the game execution section 120, and returningunselected coins.

The game execution section 120 has three graphic symbol display sections121 each for displaying several kinds of graphic symbols dynamically, ahandle 122 for giving an instruction for starting dynamic display ofgraphic symbols, stop buttons 123 for giving an instruction for stoppingdynamic display of graphic symbols on each of the graphic symbol displaysections, and a slot machine controller 125 (see FIG. 3).

The slot machine controller 125 has at least a central processing unit(CPU) 126 and a memory 127, as shown in FIG. 3. The coin selector 112,the handle 122, the stop buttons 123, the graphic symbol displaysections 121, and the coin dispenser 130 are connected to the slotmachine controller 125.

The CPU 126 inputs the coin count from the coin selector 112 andrecognizes the amount of a bet; accepts a start instruction of thehandle 122 and stop instructions of the stop buttons 123; controlsdynamic display of graphic symbols on the graphic symbol displaysections 121; controls starting and stopping thereof; determines awinning game play when the dynamic display stops; sends winninginformation to the coin dispenser 130 when a player wins a game play,etc. For the winning information, the winning amount of money determinedby a bet and odds, or the number of paid-out coins equivalent to thewinning amount, or any other equivalent information is output, forexample. The embodiment assumes that the information indicating thenumber of paid-out coins is output.

In FIG. 2, the coin dispenser 130 is made of a dispensing hopper forstoring at least as many coins as required for one dispensing (payout)and upon acceptance of winning information, dispensing as many coins asthe number specified by the winning information to the coin return 140.The coin dispenser 130 is provided with a coin quantity detection sensor282 for detecting the quantity of stored coins.

The coin dispenser (dispensing hopper) 130 has a coin storage section131 for storing coins and a coin sending-out section 132 for sending outthe stored coins one at a time. The coin storage section 131 can store alarger number of coins than the number of coins dispensed at one time.For example, about several hundred to a thousand and several hundredcoins can be stored, although the number also varies depending on thecoin size. The coin sending-out section 132 is provided with a counterof the number of coins (not shown). Thus, it stops upon completion ofsending out as many coins as the number specified by the informationindicating the number of dispensed coins sent out from the slot machinecontroller 125.

The coin return 140, which is located on the outside of the front of theslot machine 100 as shown in FIG. 1, receives coins sent out from thedispensing hopper 130 and temporarily stores the coins inside. A playercan input the coins in the coin return 140 to the coin acceptor 110 forplaying a game.

The coin handling mechanism 200 comprises a coin collection transporter210 for receiving coins input to the coin acceptors 110 in the slotmachines 100, and transporting and collecting the coins; a coinreplenishment transporter 230 for transporting coins with which the slotmachines 100 are replenished; a replenishment coin supply unit 240 forstoring replenishment coins and supplying coins to the coinreplenishment transporter 230; coin branch units 250 provided in aone-to-one correspondence with the slot machines 100 for making coinstransported by the coin replenishment transporter 230 branch therefrominto the corresponding slot machines and sending the coins to thecorresponding coin dispensers 130; counters 261, 262, 263, and 264; jamdetection and motor monitor sensors 271, 272, and 273; coin quantitydetection sensors 281, 282, and 283; and a controller 300 (see FIG. 4)for at least controlling replenishment with coins.

In the embodiment, the coin handling mechanism 200 further includestransporters 400 provided for sending coins made to branch by thecorresponding coin branch units 250 to the insides of the correspondingslot machines 100, a spare tank 500 for storing an excess of coinsstored in a coin holding vessel of the replenishment coin supply unit240 (described later) exceeding a predetermined upper limit referencequantity (overflowing coins) and coins collected as sales, and adischarge direction switch 290 for switching coins discharged from thereplenishment coin supply unit 240 into the coin replenishmenttransporter 230 or the spare tank 500.

The coin collection transporter 210 comprises a collection conveyor(first conveyor) 211 for transporting coins, a motor 212 for driving thecollection conveyor 211, a power transfer mechanism 213 for transferringpower of the motor 212 to the collection conveyor 211, and a coin lifter220 for further transporting coins transported on the collectionconveyor 211 to a coin holding vessel 241 (described later) and storingthe coins therein. It further includes guide pipes 214 for guiding coinsselected as available coins in the coin selector 112 to the collectionconveyor 211 and a collection passage 215 for collecting coins not madeto branch by the coin branch units 250 and remaining between thetermination of the coin replenishment transporter 230 and the collectionconveyor 211 and guiding these coins to the collection conveyor 211.

In the coin collection transporter 210, the collection conveyor 211 isplaced along the row of slot machines 100 and is driven by the motor 212for transporting coins. The drive state of the motor 212 is monitored bya motor monitor sensor 276 (described later).

The coin lifter 220 has a lift mechanism 221 having a belt provided witha large number of buckets and a motor 222 for driving the lift mechanism221. The lift mechanism 221 has at the bottom a coin reception part 223for receiving coins sent out from the front-end of the collectionconveyor 211. The coin lifter 220 is provided at the top with an outlet224 opened downward for discharging coins transported by the liftmechanism 221.

The coin replenishment transporter 230 has a replenishment conveyor 231(second conveyor) for transporting coins, a motor 232 for driving thereplenishment conveyor 231, and a power transfer mechanism 233 fortransferring power of the motor 232 to the replenishment conveyor 231.The replenishment conveyor 231 is placed along the row of the slotmachines 100 and is driven by the motor 232 for transporting coins. Thedrive state of the motor 232 is monitored by a motor monitor sensor 275(described later).

The replenishment coin supply unit 240 comprises a coin holding vessel241 for storing replenishment coins and discharging coins and a supplyhopper 243 for accepting and temporarily storing coins discharged fromthe coin holding vessel 241 and supplying coins to the coinreplenishment transporter 230. The coin holding vessel 241 has a coindischarge part 242 at the bottom. The coin discharge part 242 isconnected to an opening of the supply hopper 243. That is, the coinholding vessel 241 and the supply hopper 243 communicate with each othervia a narrow passage. Thus, most of the weight of the coins stored inthe coin holding vessel 241 is supported on the bottom of the coinholding vessel 241 and the weight hardly affects the supply hopper 243.Moreover, coins can be moved to the supply hopper 243 through the coindischarge part 242 communicating therewith. Resultantly, if the coinquantity in the supply hopper 243 decreases, coins drop naturally fromthe coin holding vessel 241 for automatically replenishing the supplyhopper 243 with coins.

The supply hopper 243 has a coin storage section 244 for storing coinsand a coin sending section 245 for sending out the stored coins one at atime. The coin storage section 244 can store a larger number of coinsthan the number of coins that can be dispensed at a time (for example,about several hundred coins). The coin sending section 245 is providedwith a counter 261 for counting the number of coins sent out.

The discharge direction switch 290 is placed between the supply hopper243 and the replenishment conveyor 231 of the coin replenishmenttransporter 230. It switches coins discharged from the supply hopper 243into the coin replenishment transporter 230 or the spare tank 500. Thedischarge direction switch 290 has a first passage 293 for guiding coinsto the replenishment conveyor 231, a second passage 294 for guidingcoins to the spare tank 500, a valve 291 for opening and closing thefirst passage 293, a valve 292 for opening and closing the secondpassage 294, and drive sections 295 and 296 for opening and closing thevalves 291 and 292.

The spare tank 500 has a tank main unit 501 for storing coins, a tankcase 502 for housing the tank main unit 501 detachably, and a tankdetection sensor 503 for detecting the tank main unit 501 being housedin the tank case 502. The tank detection sensor 503 goes on, when thetank main unit 501 is attached to the tank case 502, and off, when thetank main unit 501 is detached from the tank case 502. It can be made ofa microswitch, for example.

The coin branch units 250, which are placed along the replenishmentconveyor 231, make coins transported on the replenishment conveyor 231branch therefrom into the corresponding transporters based on aninstruction from the controller 300, namely, in response to a coinreplenishment request, if made.

The coin branch units 250 are attached to a mounting plate 251 disposedalong the replenishment conveyor 231 and a channel member 252 disposedalong the mounting plate 251 for housing the replenishment conveyor 231,as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Specifically, each coin branch unit 250 isplaced at the position of a notch 252a made in the channel member 252.It has a branch blocking plate 254 for closing the notch 252a andblocking branch of coins when coins are not made to branch, astraight-ahead blocking plate 253 for approaching the top of theconveyor and blocking travel of coins in a straight line when coins aremade to branch, and a solenoid 255 for rotating the plates. The branchblocking plate 254 and the straight-ahead blocking plate 253 aresupported by a common rotation shaft 255a.

The coin branch unit 250 has a reception part 256 on the outside of thenotch 252a for receiving coins discharged through the notch 252a and aguide passage 257 following the reception part for guiding the coinsinto the transporter 400. The reception part 256 and the guide passage257 are provided for each notch although only one pair is shown in FIG.6.

Another example of the branch unit of this kind is shown in FIG. 5 ofU.S. Pat. No. 4,342,384.

The transporter 400 sends coins made to branch by the coin branch unit250 to the dispensing hopper 130 of the slop machine, as shown in FIG.2. For this purpose, the transporter 400 has a push-up hopper 410 and anescalator passage 420 for guiding the pushed-up coins into thedispensing hopper 130. The push-up hopper 410 is made up of a tank 411for temporarily storing coins and a sending section 412. It sends outcoins in the tank 411 using the sending section 412 in response to aninstruction from the controller 300.

Another example of the push-up hopper of this kind is shown in FIG. 3 ofU.S. Pat. No. 4,342,384.

The counters in the embodiment are a number-of-supplied coins counter261 for counting the number of coins discharged from the replenishmentcoin supply unit 240, a number-of-collected-coins counter 262 forcounting the number of coins collected at the coin collectiontransporter 210, separate number-of-replenished-coins counters 263 eachfor counting the separate number of coins replenished for dispensingcoins in each coin branch unit 250, and number-of-input-coins counters264 each for counting the number of input coins in each coin acceptor110. The number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 is placed in the partwhere coins are discharged from the supply hopper 243. Thenumber-of-collected-coins counter 262 is disposed in the part wherecoins are discharged from the collection conveyor 211. Each of theseparate number-of-replenished-coins counters 263 is placed at thefront-end of the escalator passage 420 of the transporter 400 of eachslot machine 100. The number-of-input coins counters 264 are eachlocated inside the coin acceptor 110 or in the lower part thereof.

The jam detection sensors 271-274 are placed at a position where thereplenishment conveyor 231 accepts coins from the supply hopper 243, aposition where coins shift from the replenishment conveyor 231 to eachcoin branch unit 250, a position where coins shift from the collectionpassage 215 to the collection conveyor 211, and a position where coinsshift from the termination of the collection conveyor 211 to the coinlifter 220, respectively, for detecting a coin jam and sending a coinjam detection signal to the controller 300.

Each of the jam detection sensors 271-274 in the embodiment compriseslight emitting and receiving elements placed facing each other with acoin passage between, whereby when a coin passes through, a light beamfrom the light emitting element is blocked and prevented from beingincident on the light receiving element. Therefore, the light receivingelement can sense the presence of the coin by the fact that the incidentlight beam is blocked. By the way, if coins move normally, the lightbeam blocking time is determined by the moving speed of a coin;generally it is less than one second. However, if a jam occurs, thelight beam is blocked for longer than this time. Thus, a signalindicating blocking of the light beam from the light receiving elementis used as a jam detection signal. In the embodiment, the controller 300checks the duration of the jam detection signal to see if an actual jamoccurs.

The motor monitor sensors 275, 276, and 277 are attached to the drivemotor 232 of the replenishment conveyor 231, the drive motor 212 of thecollection conveyor 211, and the drive motor 222 of the coin lifter 220respectively for monitoring the rotation state of the correspondingmotors. Each of the motor monitor sensors 275, 276, and 277 can be madeof a sensor for outputting a pulse each time the corresponding motorturns by a given angle. More particularly, a disk with through holesmade at every angle of given degrees is attached to a motor shaft andlight emitting and receiving elements are placed facing each other withthe disk between for providing each of the sensors. Thus, the lightreceiving element receives a light beam from the light emitting elementat the position of each through hole, thereby outputting a pulse eachtime the motor turns by a given angle. The motors 232, 212, and 222 areturned continuously at a constant rotation speed while the gamingfacility is operating. Thus, each of the motor monitor sensors 275, 276,and 277 outputs pulses of given cycles if the corresponding motor turnsnormally. Therefore, whether or not the number of pulses per unit timeis within a predetermined range is checked, whereby a rotation error ofthe motor can be sensed.

The coin quantity detection sensors 281, 282, and 283 are placed intheir respective target vessels for detecting the coin quantities in thevessels. That is, the sensor 281 is disposed in the coin holding vessel241; the sensor 282 is located in the coin storage section 131 of thedispensing hopper 130; and the sensor 283 is placed in the tank mainunit 501 of the spare tank 500.

Each of the sensors 281-283 detects the coin quantity as the coinstorage level in the vessel rather than the number of coins.Specifically, it has a detection section consisting of a probe moving upand down and two sensing switches for sensing up and down displacementsof the probe. When a small number of coins exist, the probe moves down;when a large number of coins exist, the probe moves up. The sensingswitches sense whether or not up and down displacements of the probereach predetermined upper and lower limit positions within the range ofthe operation strokes. Then, in the embodiment, the probe is providedwith members for operating the sensing switches placed at the positionscorresponding to the upper and lower limit positions. Specifically, touse microswitches as the sensing switches, the probe is provided withprojections for pressing actuators of the microswitches.

The sensors 281-283 are not limited to the illustrated constitution. Forexample, a sensor using a lead switch and a magnet in combination, asensor for detecting the coin quantity according to the electrostaticcapacity, a sensor for detecting the coin quantity magnetically, asensor using ultrasonic waves for detection, a sensor using light fordetection, etc., can be used.

Each of the coin quantity detection sensors 281 and 282 detects shortageand sufficiency of the coin quantity. When detecting the stored coinquantity reaching a predetermined lower limit reference quantity, thesensor 281, 282 outputs a coin quantity shortage signal. When detectingthe stored coin quantity reaching a predetermined upper limit referencequantity, the sensor 281, 282 outputs a coin quantity sufficiencysignal. The signals are sent to the controller 300 of the coin handlingmechanism 200 (see FIG. 4).

The coin quantity detection sensor 283 may be able to detect onlysufficiency of the coin quantity. Therefore, a mechanism for detectingshortage of the coin quantity may be omitted.

Of course, the coin quantity detection sensor 283 may be the same as thecoin quantity detection sensors 281 and 282 in constitution.

The controller 300 is connected to the number-of-coins counters 261-264,the coin quantity detection sensors 281-283, the jam detection sensors271-273, the motor monitor sensors 275-277, and the spare tank sensingsensor 503, as shown in FIG. 4. It accepts information from the countersand the sensors and executes necessary processing accordingly. Thecontroller 300 is also connected to the coin branch units 250, the coinsending sections 245 and 412 of the hoppers, the motor 232 of the coinreplenishment transporter 230, the motor 212 of the coin collectiontransporter 210, the motor 222 of the coin lifter 220, and the valvedrive sections 295 and 296 of the discharge direction switch 290 forcontrolling the operation of the members.

Further, a communication controller 600 is connected to the controller300. The controller 300 can be connected to any other computer systemvia the communication controller 600 for transferring data to and fromthe computer system. For example, it is connected to a computer formanaging all game facilities in the gaming house and informationindicating start, stop, sales report, error notification, etc., istransferred between the controller and the computer.

In the embodiment, the controller 300 uses a hardware system as shown inFIG. 5, for example. That is, it comprises a processor 310 having acentral processing unit (CPU) 301, a memory 302, and an interfacecircuit 303, an external storage unit 340, duration determinationcircuits 320, and pulse rate determination circuits 330. The durationdetermination circuits 320 are provided in a one-to-one correspondencewith the jam detection sensors. The pulse rate determination circuits330 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the motor monitorsensors.

The memory 302 stores programs of the CPU 301, data, etc. The processor310 performs control in accordance with the programs stored in thememory 302. For example, programs for executing procedures shown inflowcharts of FIGS. 8, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are stored in the memory 302.For example, the data stored in the memory 302 includes a list ofmachines whose operation is to be stopped when a jam occurs and a listof machines whose operation is to be stopped when a motor error occurs,as shown schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9, the digits 1, 2, 3,and 4 are identical with those in FIG. 2 indicating jam points.

Each of the duration determination circuits 320 has a jam detectiontimer 321 started when a signal is input from the corresponding jamdetection sensor 271-274, a jam clearance detection timer 322 startedwhen the duration of the jam detection signal terminates after a jamoccurs, a determination circuit 323 for comparing the duration of aspecific state of an input signal with the setup time of the jamdetection timer 321 and the setup time of the jam clearance detectiontimer 322 for determining jam occurrence and jam clearance, and a flagregister 324 for setting a flag if a jam is determined to be detected,as shown in FIG. 5. The jam detection timer 321 is reset if the durationof the jam detection signal terminates before the timer times out.

In the embodiment, the jam detection timer 321 is set to two seconds andthe jam clearance detection timer 322 is set to 10 seconds. Therefore,if a jam detection signal of the jam detection sensor 271, etc., namely,a signal indicating a light blocking state in the light receivingelement is input and lasts for two seconds or longer, the determinationcircuit 323 determines that a jam has occurred. It regards the inputsignal as a jam detection signal detecting the jam condition and setsthe flag of the flag register 324 and sends the jam detection signal,together with an interrupt request, to the interface circuit 303. Thesignal from the jam detection sensor can be set at a high level whenindicating the light blocking state in the light receiving element andat a low level when indicating the light-passing state, for example.

On the other hand, if the signal indicating the light blocking state inthe light receiving element is turned off, namely, it changes to asignal indicating the light-passing state, the jam clearance detectiontimer 322 is started. If the signal indicating the light-passing statelasts for 10 seconds or longer, the determination circuit 323 determinesthat the jam is cleared, and resets the flag register 324, wherebysending of the jam detection signal to the interface circuit 303 isstopped.

The reasons why such steps are taken are as follows: For the firstreason, if a jam occurs, it may be cleared naturally by the effect ofvibration, etc. For the second reason, if the stopped machines areoperated immediately when the jam is cleared, some of the coins causingthe jam and new supplied coins will easily cause another jam to occur,and so steps are taken to avoid this type of accident.

Each of the pulse rate determination circuits 330 has a timer 332 foroutputting a time-out signal every given time, a counter 331 forcounting pulses from the motor monitor sensor and stopping the countingin response to the time-out signal from the timer 332, a register 334for previously storing the upper and lower limit values of the number ofpulses per unit time (pulse rate), and a comparator 333 for taking inthe count of the counter 331 stopping the counting when the time-outsignal of the timer is output and comparing the count with the upper andlower limit values stored in the register 334 for determining whether ornot the pulse rate is in the normal range. When determining that anerror occurs, the determination circuit 330 sends an error occurrencesignal together with an interrupt signal to the interface circuit 303.

The duration determination circuits 320 and the pulse rate determinationcircuits 330 can also be provided by software in the processor 310.

The CPU 301 of the processor 310 executes processes in accordance withflowcharts of FIGS. 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14. In the embodiment, thefollowing processes are executed

(a) A coin replenishment process being responsive to a replenishmentrequest from each slot machine for replenishing the requesting slotmachine with coins (steps 802-808). This process is mainly executed bybranch control means, coin supply control means, switch control means,and duplicate replenishment process inhibition means.

(b) An overflow handling process of the coin holding vessel 241 (steps809 and 810). This handling process is executed by coin supply controlmeans, switch control means, and number-of-coins management means.

(c) A sales coin collection process (steps 811 and 812). This process isexecuted by coin supply control means, switch control means, andnumber-of-coins management means, like the overflow handling process.

In the embodiment, a jam countermeasure process and a motor errorcountermeasure process (see FIG. 12) are executed. To execute theprocesses, an interrupt is generated each time an interrupt request forexecuting the process is input from any of the duration determinationcircuits 320 or any of the pulse rate determination circuits 330. In theembodiments, the processes are executed by jam countermeasure processmeans containing the duration determination circuits 320, and motorerror countermeasure process means containing the pulse ratedetermination circuits 330.

First, before the gaming facility of the embodiment is started, the coinholding vessel 241 is replenished with coins. Coins are input in such aquantity that about 5000 coins, for example, are held in the coinholding vessel 241 and the supply hopper 243. The number of replenishedcoins at this time is previously counted.

In this state, the power of the gaming facility is turned on. The slotmachine controllers 125 in the slot machines 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3execute initialization accordingly. In the coin handling mechanism 200,the processor 310 executes initialization at step 801. If the dispensinghopper 130 in the slot machine has an insufficient amount of coins, thecoin quantity detection sensor 282 senses the event and sends a coinquantity shortage detection signal to the processor 310.

The game execution operation in the slot machine is generally known andtherefore will not be discussed here. Therefore, we will provide adescription centering on processing in the coin handling mechanism 200.In the description to follow, it is assumed that a measure of time haselapsed since the gaming facility was started.

Next, the CPU 301 checks whether or not a signal indicating coinshortage is output from the coin quantity detection sensor 282 for anyslot machine 100 at step 802. That is, if a coin shortage signal isinput to the interface circuit 303, the CPU 301 determines that areplenishment request is made. Further, the CPU 301 checks whether ornot a replenishment process is being executed at present at step 803according to a flag set in a flag area located in the memory 302. Theflag register contained in the CPU 301 may be used to set the flag. If areplenishment process is not being executed, it is executed at step 807,as described later. If a replenishment process is being executed, areplenishment request queue is set at step 804. Information specifyingthe slot machine making the replenishment request is read from theinterface circuit 303 and is stored in the replenishment request queue.If two or more replenishment requests contend with each other, they arelisted in the request order.

Thus, in the embodiment, if any coin branch unit 250 operates, areplenishment request queue is set in the memory 302 and anotherreplenishment process is made to wait for execution until the precedingreplenishment operation is complete, thereby inhibiting a duplicatereplenishment process, whereby contention among replenishment processesresponsive to replenishment requests issued from a plurality of slotmachines can be avoided and replenishment coins required by each slotmachine can be reliably sent to the corresponding slot machine. If suchinhibition is not executed, there is a possibility that a problem willoccur wherein a later replenishment request is handled while thepreceding one is being handled, and coins to be sent to the slot machinemaking the preceding request are sent to the slot machine making thelater request.

Next, the CPU 301 checks whether or not the supply hopper 243 is beingoperated at step 806 by checking to see if a supply hopper operationflag is set in a similar manner to that described above. If the supplyhopper 243 is being operated, control goes to point A of thereplenishment process shown in FIG. 11 (described later). On the otherhand, if the supply hopper 243 is not being operated, control goes topoint B of replenishment process shown in FIG. 11.

If a replenishment process is being executed at step 805, control goesto step 806. On the other hand, if a replenishment process is not beingexecuted, it means that a replenishment process is not executed and areplenishment request is not made either. Thus, control goes to thefollowing step.

Next, the CPU 301 checks whether or not the supply hopper 243 is beingoperated at step 808 by checking to see if the supply hopper operationflag is set as described above. If the supply hopper 243 is beingoperated, steps 809 to 812 are skipped. On the other hand, if the supplyhopper 243 is not being operated, control shifts to an overflow handlingprocess.

First, the CPU 301 checks whether or not there is a danger of the coinholding vessel 241 overflowing at step 809. If a sufficiency signal isoutput from the coin quantity detection sensor 281, it is determinedthat there is a danger of the coin holding vessel 241 overflowing. Inthis case, an overflow handling process (described later) is executed atstep 810. The overflow means that excessive coins are stored in the coinholding vessel 241 exceeding a predetermined upper limit referencequantity. Overflowing coins are as many stored coins that exceed theupper limit reference quantity.

After the overflow handling process is complete, or if the overflowhandling process is not required, whether or not a request forcollecting sales coins is made is determined at step 811. If it is made,a sales coins collection process (described later) is executed at step812.

After the process is complete or if the process is not executed, whetheror not the gaming house is to be closed is determined. If the gaminghouse is not yet closed, control returns to step 802. To determinewhether or not the gaming house is to be closed, whether or not aclosing command exists is checked. This command is input, for example,from an external system via the communication controller 600, through aswitch (not shown), etc.

Next, the replenishment process will be discussed in detail withreference to FIG. 11.

The CPU 301 first sets the replenishment request flag in the flagsetting area of the memory 302 at step 1101. The flag register containedin the CPU 301 may be used for the flag. At this time, information tospecify the slot machine issuing the replenishment request is stored ina specific area of the memory 302.

Next, the CPU 301 instructs the valve drive section 295 of the dischargedirection switch 290 to open the valve 291 at step 1102. It reads thecurrent value of the number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 and stores thevalue in a number-of-supplied-coins counter value storage area of thememory 302 at step 1103. The CPU 301 instructs the sending section 245of the supply hopper 243 to discharge coins at step 1104. Further, itreferences the information to specify the slot machine stored in thespecific area of the memory 302 and instructs the coin branch unit 250corresponding to the slot machine specified by the information to makecoins branch from the replenishment conveyor 231 into the slot machineat step 1105. Then, the supply hopper 243 sends out coins in sequencevia the passage 293 of the discharge direction switch 290. The sent-outcoins are placed on the replenishment conveyor 231 and are transportedthereon. The supply hopper 243 can also be used to send out coinsintermittently rather than continuously.

The CPU 301 checks whether or not the coin quantity detection sensor 282installed in the dispensing hopper 130 of the slot machine outputs asignal indicating sufficiency at step 1106. If the signal is not output,steps 1107-1115 are skipped and control shifts to step 808 in FIG. 8,then again enters step 1106 in FIG. 11 through step 813, steps 802-806.This process is executed until the slot machine is replenished withsufficient coins.

When the slot machine is replenished with sufficient coins, the CPU 301outputs an instruction for stopping drive of the supply hopper at step1107, thereby stopping the supply hopper 243 supplying coins. The CPU301 starts a timer at step 1108. This timer is constituted in softwarein the embodiment. However, a hardware timer may be used.

Further, the CPU 301 calculates the number of supplied coins and findsthe total number of supplied coins based on the calculated number, thenstores the total number in a total number-of-supplied-coins storage areaof the memory 302 at step 1109. That is, it reads the count of thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter 261 and finds a difference between theread count and the count just before the supply started, stored in thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter value storage area of the memory 302for calculating the number of supplied coins this time. Further, the CPU301 adds the number of supplied coins this time to the total number ofsupplied coins counted so far, stored in thetotal-number-of-supplied-coins storage area of the memory 302, forfinding the cumulative total number of supplied coins, and replaces thetotal number of supplied coins stored in thetotal-number-of-supplied-coins storage area of the memory 302 with thefound cumulative total number of supplied coins. In the embodiment, thenumber of supplied coins is managed as the sum total of supplied coinsfor all slot machines, but may be managed for each slot machine.

Next, the CPU 301 checks whether or not the started timer times out atstep 1110. If the timer does not yet time out, the following steps1111-1115 are skipped and control goes to step 808 in FIG. 8. In thiscase, the supply hopper 243 is not driven, thus steps 809-813 areexecuted. Since the process is not complete, control returns to step 802and goes to step 1110 in FIG. 11 through steps 802-806. This processloop is executed until the timer times out.

When the timer times out, the CPU 301 stops driving the correspondingcoin branch unit 250 at step 1111. That is, the mechanism of the coinbranch unit 250 for making coins branch is located away from thereplenishment conveyor 231 for transporting coins on the replenishmentconveyor 231 without branch, whereby the duplicate replenishment processinhibition is released. The purpose for taking such steps is to reliablyreplenish the slot machine making the replenishment request with allcoins discharged from the supply hopper 243.

The time-out time of the timer is determined by the time required fortransporting coins. However, the time required for transporting coinsvaries from one slot machine to another, and thus the time-out time isset separately for each slot machine. In the embodiment, however, tosimplify the constitution, the time common to all slot machines is setbased on the time required for transporting coins to the slot machine atthe position most distant from the supply hopper 243.

Next, the CPU 301 checks the replenishment request queue to determinewhether or not another replenishment request exists at step 1112. Ifanother replenishment request exists, it is fetched from thereplenishment request queue at step 1113. The steps following step 1103are repeated.

On the other hand, if no replenishment request remains, thereplenishment request flag is reset at step 1114. Then, the CPUinstructs the valve drive section 295 of the discharge direction switch290 to close the valve 291 at step 1115. The valve may be closed at thebeginning of the next process.

In the embodiment, the valves are provided in a one-to-onecorrespondence with the passages 293 and 294, but one valve may be usedto switch the passages.

Assuming that a problem such as a jam or a motor error occurs in anypart of the coin handling mechanism, handling the problem will bediscussed.

When an interrupt request is made, the CPU 301 saves the current processand executes an interrupt service. Next, it checks whether or not a jamdetection signal exists at step 1201. That is, the CPU 301 checkswhether or not a jam detection signal from the duration determinationcircuit 320 is sent to the interface circuit 303. If the jam detectionsignal is input from any jam detection sensor at the high level, a jamcountermeasure process is executed.

The CPU 301 first checks the input port of the interface circuit 303 towhich the jam detection signal is input at the high level, to previouslysense the corresponding jam detection sensor. Next, it looks up in thestop machine list prestored in the memory 302 (see FIG. 9), reads theinformation indicating the machines to be stopped, and instructs themachines to stop the operation at step 1202. For example, if a jamoccurs at the point 1 in FIG. 2 and the jam detection signal is sentfrom the jam detection sensor 271, the CPU 301 stops driving the sendingsection 245 of the supply hopper 243. If a jam occurs at the point 2 inFIG. 2, the CPU 301 stops driving the sending section 245 of the supplyhopper 243 and the corresponding coin branch unit 250. If a jam occursat the point 3 in FIG. 2, the CPU 301 stops driving the sending section245 of the supply hopper 243 and the motor 232 of the replenishmentconveyor 231. Further, if a jam occurs at the point 4 in FIG. 2, the CPU301 stops driving the sending section 245 of the supply hopper 243, themotor 232 of the replenishment conveyor 231, and the motor 212 of thecollection conveyor 211.

Thus, in the embodiment, attention is focused on the flow of coins sothat driving of equipment, placed upstream from the jam occurrencepoint, for supplying or moving coins is stopped, thereby preventing thenumber of coins involved in the jam from increasing. If the number ofcoins involved in the jam does not increase, natural clearance of thejam because of vibration, etc., can be expected. If the number of coinsinvolved in the jam is small, coins can be prevented from overflowingthe jam point.

The CPU 301 outputs an alarm signal for notifying jam occurrence inaddition to stopping driving of the machines. This alarm signal is sentto an alarm unit 900 disposed in the coin handling mechanism 200 forgiving an alarm. The alarm unit 900 produces sound and/or flashes light,for example. The alarm signal is sent through the communicationcontroller 600 to a control room, etc., for operating an alarm unit (notshown) located in the control room.

If the jam is naturally cleared, the CPU 301 stops sending the alarmsignal. If the jam is not naturally cleared, a worker in the gaminghouse clears the jam at the jam point. Then, when the worker presses areset switch (not shown), the CPU 301 judges that the jam has beencleared, stops the alarm, and recovers the process at step 1203.

After the jam clearance process is executed or if no jam occurs, the CPU301 checks whether or not a motor error detection signal exists at step1204. That is, it checks whether or not a motor error detection signalfrom the pulse rate determination circuit 330 is sent to the interfacecircuit 303. If the motor error detection signal is input from any motormonitor sensor at the high level, a motor error countermeasure processis executed.

The CPU 301 first checks the input port of the interface circuit 303 towhich the motor error detection signal is input at the high level forsensing the previously corresponding motor monitor sensor. Next, itlooks up in the stop equipment list prestored in the memory 302 (seeFIG. 10), extracts the information indicating the equipment to bestopped, and instructs the machines to stop the operation at step 1205.For example, if an error occurs in the motor 232 of the replenishmentconveyor 231 and the motor error detection signal is sent from the motormonitor sensor 275, the CPU 301 stops driving the sending section 245 ofthe supply hopper 243 and the motor 232 of the replenishment conveyor231. If an error occurs in the motor 212 of the collection conveyor 211,the CPU 301 stops driving the sending section 245 of the supply hopper243, the motor 232 of the replenishment conveyor 231, and the motor 212of the collection conveyor 211. Further, if an error occurs in the motor222 of the coin lifer 220, the CPU 301 stops driving the sending section245 of the supply hopper 243, the motor 232 of the replenishmentconveyor 231, the motor 212 of the collection conveyor 211, and themotor 222 of the coin lifter 220.

Thus, in the embodiment, attention is focused on a flow of coins so thatdriving of equipment, placed upstream from the motor error occurrencepoint, for supplying or moving coins is stopped, thereby preventingcoins from being concentrated on the entrance of the motor erroroccurrence point. A jam caused by concentration of coins is thusprevented.

The CPU 301 resets the alarm and the operation stop at step 1206 afterrecovery from the motor error as in the above-described jam detection.The motor error can also be cleared naturally. In this case, the alarmand the operation stop are also reset.

By the way, the fact that the error occurred, the error point, and thetime of the error occurrence are stored in a recording area previouslyprovided in the memory 302. This is also performed for theabove-described jam detection in a similar manner.

Next, the overflow process will be discussed in detail with reference toFIG. 13.

When a coin sufficiency signal is input from the coin quantity detectionsensor 281 located in the coin holding vessel 241, the CPU 301 executesan overflow handling process. Preferably, the coin sufficiency signal isoutput when coins reach less than 100% of the capacity of the coinholding vessel 241 to provide a margin for the remaining capacity,rather than when coins reach 100% of the capacity of the coin holdingvessel 241. The percentage is determined by change in the coin demandquantity in the gaming facility. For example, it is set to about 90% ofthe capacity of the coin holding vessel 241.

First, the CPU 301 instructs the valve drive section 296 of thedischarge direction switch 290 to open the valve 292 at step 1301. Itreads the count of the number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 and storesthe count in the number-of-supplied-coins counter value storage area ofthe memory 302 at step 1302. The CPU 301 drives the supply hopper 243 atstep 1303. In this state, coins are sent from the supply hopper 243 viathe passage 294 to the tank main unit 501 of the spare tank 500. The CPU301 monitors the coin sufficiency signal from the coin quantitydetection sensor 281 and remains in this state until the signaldisappears at step 1304. It may judge the overflow to be cleared afterthe expiration of a predetermined time interval since the coinsufficiency signal disappeared.

Next, the CPU 301 stops driving the supply hopper 243 at step 1305. Itinstructs the valve drive section 296 of the discharge direction switch290 to close the valve 292 at step 1306. The CPU 301 reads the count ofthe number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 and calculates the number ofcoins sent to the spare tank 500 from the count and the count stored inthe number-of-supplied-coins counter value storage area of the memory302. The calculated number of coins is stored in anumber-of-overflowing-coins storage area of the memory 302 as the numberof overflowing coins at step 1307.

Then, the supply of the coins to the spare tank 500 is stopped and theoverflow handling process is complete.

Next, a sales coin collection process will be discussed in detail withreference to FIG. 14.

The CPU 301 executes a sales coin collection process when a sales coincollection instruction is given through a switch (not shown) or from ahost computer system through the communication controller 600.

First, the CPU 301 instructs the valve drive section 296 of thedischarge direction switch 290 to open the valve 292 at step 1401. Itsets a take-in coin target count at step 1402. For example, the targetcount is set as follows: First, the CPU 301 reads the count of thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter 261 and the count of thenumber-of-collected-coins counter 262 and stores the counts in thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter value storage area and thenumber-of-collected-coins counter value storage area, respectively, ofthe memory 302. It also reads the number of overflowing coins fromthe-number-of-overflowing-coins storage area of the memory 302 andsubtracts the number of overflowing coins from the number of coins to becollected as sales, stored in the number-of-collected-coins countervalue storage area, to calculate the balance number of collected coins.Then, the CPU 301 adds the balance number of collected coins to thecount of the number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 for calculating thetaken-in coin target count, and stores the calculated target count in ataken-in coin target count storage area of the memory 302.

Next, the CPU 301 drives the supply hopper 243 at step 1403. In thisstate, coins are sent from the supply hopper 243 via the passage 294 tothe tank main unit 501 of the spare tank 500. The CPU 301 checks whetheror not a coin sufficiency signal is output from the coin quantitydetection sensor 283 disposed in the spare tank 500 at step 1404.

If no overflow occurs, the CPU 301 reads the count of thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter and compares the count with thetaken-in coin target count stored in the taken-in coin target countstorage area of the memory 302. If the count does not reach the targetcount, control returns to step 1404 and this state is maintained untilan overflow occurs or the number of taken-in coins reaches the targetcount at step 1405.

Here, when inputting a coin sufficiency signal from the coin quantitydetection sensor 283, the CPU 301 stops the operation of the supplyhopper 243 at step 1409. It reads the count of thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter 261, finds a difference between thecount and the count just before the collection, stored in thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter value storage area of the memory 302,and adds the number of overflowing coins to the difference to calculatethe number of sales coins stored in the spare tank, then stores thenumber of sales coins in the-number-of-sales-coins storage area of thememory 302 together with a code for identifying the spare tank at step1410. The count of the number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 read at thispoint in time is stored in the number-of-supplied-coins counter valuestorage area after the calculation is made.

Next, the CPU 301 outputs an overflow occurrence alarm at step 1411.This alarm output is sent to the alarm unit 900 and the host computersystem, for notifying of overflow occurrence. In this state, the CPU 301monitors the coin sufficiency signal from the coin quantity detectionsensor 283 and remains in this state until the signal disappears at step1412. If the overflow is cleared, the CPU 301 checks output of the tankdetection sensor 503 to determine whether or not a new spare tank existsat step 1413. If a tank is set, control returns to step 1403 at whichthe supply hopper is driven and coin collection is restarted.

If an overflow occurs, it is handled in the same manner as describedabove. Last, if the count of the number-of-supplied-coins counter 261reaches the taken-in coin target count, the CPU 301 stops the supplyhopper 243 at step 1406.

Further, the CPU 301 subtracts the count stored in thenumber-of-supplied-coins counter value storage area from the currentcount of the number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 for calculating thenumber of sales coins stored in the spare tank 500 and stores thecalculated number of sales coins in the-number-of-sales-coins storagearea of the memory 302 together with the code for identifying the sparetank at step 1407. If the spare tank stores overflowing coins, that is,if steps 1409-1413 are skipped, the number of overflowing coins isadded, as at step 1410.

The CPU 301 instructs the valve drive section 296 of the dischargedirection switch 290 to close the valve 292 at step 1408. The sales coincollection process is now complete.

In each process described above, the number of coins is calculated andstored as a function of the number-of-coins management means. Thisfunction may be collected within one module.

The number-of-coins management means cumulatively adds the number ofsupplied coins, stored at the time of coin replenishment for finding thenumber of coins with which the slot machine is replenished, whereby thenumber of replenished coins can be known.

In the embodiment, coin replenishment from the supply hopper 243 to thereplenishment conveyor 231 is stopped upon receipt of a coin sufficiencysignal from the coin quantity detection sensor 282. However, theinvention is not thus limited. For example, while a given number ofcoins are counted, they may be supplied from the supply hopper.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be discussed. Theembodiment is intended for supplying coins while counting a given numberof coins from the supply hopper. It is the same as the first embodimentexcept for a part of the coin replenishment process. Therefore, we willprovide a description centering on the coin replenishment process.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a procedure of the coin replenishmentprocess of the embodiment. Steps 1501, 1502, and 1507 and later shown inFIG. 15 are the same as steps 1101, 1102, and 1107 and later shown inFIG. 11. Therefore, for the description of the steps in FIG. 15, see thedescription of the corresponding steps in FIG. 11.

Next, after executing steps 1501 and 1502, a CPU 301 reads the currentvalue of a number-of-supplied-coins counter 261 and adds a predeterminednumber of replenishment coins to the value for calculating a suppliedcoin target count at step 1503. This supplied coin target count istemporarily stored in a memory 302 until supply of coins responsive tothe current coin replenishment request is complete.

Next, the CPU 301 instructs a sending section 245 of a supply hopper 243to discharge coins at step 1504. Further, it references information tospecify the corresponding slot machine stored in a specific area of thememory 302 and instructs a coin branch unit 250 corresponding to theslot machine specified by the information to make coins branch from areplenishment conveyor 231 into the slot machine at step 1505. Then, thesupply hopper 243 sends out coins in sequence via a passage 293 of adischarge direction switch 290. The sent-out coins are placed on thereplenishment conveyor 231 and are transported thereon. The supplyhopper 243 can also be used to send out coins intermittently rather thancontinuously.

The CPU 301 reads the count of a number-of-supplied-coins counter 261and compares the count with the supplied coin target count stored in thememory 302 to check whether or not the count of the counter reaches thetarget count at step 1506. If the count does not reach the target count,steps 1507-1515 are skipped and control shifts to step 808 in FIG. 8.Step 1506 in FIG. 15 is then entered again through step 813 and steps802-806. This loop process is executed until the count reaches thetarget value.

If the count reaches the target value, the CPU 301 outputs aninstruction for stopping drive of the supply hopper 243 at step 1507,thereby stopping the supply hopper 243 supplying coins. The subsequentsteps are the same as those previously described with reference to FIG.11.

Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be discussed withreference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment is the same asthe first and second embodiments except that a coin dispenser in a slotmachine differs from that shown in FIG. 2 in constitution. Therefore, wewill provide a description centering on the difference therebetween.

FIG. 16 shows one slot machine, one coin branch unit, a part of areplenishment conveyor, and a part of a collection conveyor in the thirdembodiment of the invention. Like the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2,the third embodiment has a number of slot machines and a coin handlingmechanism for replenishing the slot machines with coins and collectingcoins therefrom although they are not shown. Therefore, the embodimentresults from replacing each slot machine in the gaming facility shown inFIG. 2 with the slot machine shown in FIG. 16. Therefore, see FIG. 2 forcomponents other than the slot machines.

The slot machine shown in FIG. 16 has a coin acceptor 110, a gameexecution section 120, and a coin dispenser 130.

In the embodiment, the coin dispenser 130 has a coin storage section131, a coin sending section 132, and an escalator passage 133 forguiding coins sent out from the coin sending section 132 into a coinreturn. The coin storage section 131 and the coin sending section 132are placed below a coin branch unit 250.

A coin quantity detection sensor 282 is attached to the coin storagesection 131 like that shown in FIG. 2. The sensor outputs signalsindicating coin shortage and sufficiency.

A separate number-of-replenished-coins counter 263 is disposed at thefront-end of the escalator passage 133. In the embodiment, the counter263 counts the number of coins with which the corresponding slot machineis replenished as the number of dispensed coins, namely, it functions asa number-of-dispensed-coins counter.

In the embodiment, a coin replenishment request and a replenishment stoprequest are made according to the coin quantity detection sensor 282.

The embodiment can also adopt a coin replenishment method similar tothat adopted in the second embodiment.

Since a transporter for transporting coins is omitted between the coinbranch unit and the coin dispenser in the embodiment, the constitutionis simple and the number of parts is also small, so that themanufacturing costs are low.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention will be discussed. Theembodiment is the same as the first and second embodiments except that acoin transporter in a slot machine differs from that shown in FIG. 2 inconstitution. Therefore, we will provide a description centering on thedifference therebetween.

FIG. 17 shows one slot machine, one coin branch unit, a transporter, apart of a replenishment conveyor, and a part of a collection conveyor inthe fourth embodiment of the invention. Like the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the third embodiment has a number of slot machines and a coinhandling mechanism for replenishing the slot machines with coins andcollecting coins therefrom although they are not shown. Therefore, theembodiment results from replacing each slot machine in the gamingfacility shown in FIG. 2 with the slot machine shown in FIG. 17.Therefore, see FIG. 2 for components other than the slot machines.

The slot machine shown in FIG. 17 has a coin acceptor 110, a gameexecution section 120, a coin dispenser 130, and a transporter 450.

The coin dispenser 130 in the embodiment has a coin storage section 131and a coin sending section 132 like that in the first embodiment. Thecoin storage section 131 is provided with a coin quantity detectionsensor 282.

The transporter 450 has a replenishment lift 451 for sending coins tothe coin storage section 131 of the coin dispenser 130, a motor 452 fordriving the replenishment lift 451, and a motor monitor sensor 278. Thereplenishment lift 451 is always driven by the motor 452 and when a coinbranch unit 250 makes coins branch from a replenishment conveyor 231into the replenishment lift, the replenishment lift 451 immediatelytransports the coins to the coin storage section 131 of the coindispenser 130.

Also in the embodiment, a coin replenishment request and a replenishmentstop request are made according to the coin quantity detection sensor282. A motor error detection process is executed according to a signalbased on the motor monitor sensor 278.

The embodiment can also adopt a coin replenishment method similar tothat adopted in the second embodiment.

Records of error events stored in predetermined areas of a memory 302are transferred to and stored in an external storage unit 340 at thehouse closing time or every given time interval. Preferably, informationconcerning the numbers of coins calculated and stored by number-of-coinsmanagement means, such as the total number of supplied coins, the numberof supplied coins for each slot machine, the number of collected coins,the number of input coins, and the number of sales coins, is alsotransferred to and stored in the external storage unit 340 at the houseclosing time. Preferably, the numeric values are reported to a hostcomputer through a communication controller 600 as managementinformation. Particularly, the number of sales coins may be reported tothe host computer.

In the embodiment, the coin quantity detection sensor 282 for outputtingcoin replenishment request and replenishment stop request signals isdescribed as a component of the coin handling mechanism 200. However,the coin quantity detection sensor may be included as a component of theslot machine 100.

We claim:
 1. A coin handling mechanism being placed in a gaming househaving at least one coin game machine group containing a plurality ofcoin game machines for supplying coins to the coin game machinesbelonging to the coin game machine group, said coin handling mechanismcomprising:a coin replenishment transporter for transporting coins withwhich the coin game machines belonging to the coin game machine groupare replenished; a replenishment coin supply unit for storingreplenishment coins and supplying coins to said coin replenishmenttransporter; coin branch units being provided in a one-to-onecorrespondence with the coin game machines for making coins transportedby said coin replenishment transporter branch therefrom into thecorresponding coin game machines; and a controller for at leastcontrolling coin replenishment, said controller comprising:coin supplycontrol means, upon acceptance of a request for replenishing any coingame machine with coins, for dispensing coins to said coin replenishmenttransporter from said replenishment coin supply unit; coin branchcontrol means for accepting a request for replenishing any coin gamemachine with coins and causing said coin branch unit corresponding tothe coin game machine to make coins transported by said coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the coin game machine;and duplicate replenishment process inhibition means for inhibiting aduplicate replenishment process of other coin game machines with coins,when said coin branch control means accepts a request for replenishingany coin game machine with coins, until completion of replenishing thecoin game machine with coins.
 2. The coin handling mechanism as claimedin claim 1 wherein said coin supply control means performs control so asto dispense coins to said coin replenishment transporter from saidreplenishment coin supply unit until acceptance of a coin replenishmentstop request.
 3. The coin handling mechanism as claimed in claim 1wherein said coin branch control means comprises coin replenishment stopprocess means for stopping the coin branch operation of the coin branchunit corresponding to the coin game machine making a replenishmentrequest after expiration of at least the time equivalent to the timerequired until the last coin dispensed just before stopping of supplyfrom said replenishment coin supply unit arrives at the coin branch unitand is made to branch by the coin branch unit after coin supply fromsaid replenishment coin supply unit is stopped under the control of saidcoin supply control means.
 4. The coin handling mechanism as claimed inclaim 3 wherein said duplicate replenishment process inhibition meansreleases inhibition of the duplicate replenishment process with coinsafter the coin branch operation of said coin branch unit is stopped. 5.The coin handling mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coinbranch control means stops the coin branch operation of the coin branchunit corresponding to the coin game machine at a position most distantfrom said replenishment coin supply unit after expiration of at leastthe time equivalent to the time required until the last coin dispensedbefore stopping of supply from said replenishment coin supply unitarrives at the coin branch unit and is made to branch by the coin branchunit, after coin supply from said replenishment coin supply unit isstopped under the control of said coin supply control means.
 6. The coinhandling mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein said duplicatereplenishment process inhibition means releases inhibition of theduplicate replenishment process with coins after the coin branchoperation of the coin branch unit is stopped.
 7. The coin handlingmechanism as claimed in claim 3 further including a transporter fortransporting coins made to branch by the coin branch unit to an insideof the coin game machine.
 8. A coin handling mechanism being placed in agaming house having at least one coin game machine group containing aplurality of coin game machines for supplying coins to the coin gamemachine group and collecting coins therefrom, said coin handlingmechanism comprising:a coin replenishment transporter for transportingcoins with which the coin game machines belonging to the coin gamemachine group are replenished; a replenishment coin supply unit thatcomprises a coin holding vessel for storing replenishment coins thereinand supplies coins stored in said coin holding vessel to said coinreplenishment transporter; a coin collection transporter for receivingcoins from the coin game machines belonging to the coin game machinegroup, transporting and collecting the coins; a coin lifter thatreceives the coins transported by said coin collection transporter andtransports the coins while lifting up the coins to said coin holdingvessel; a controller for at least controlling coin replenishment; aspare tank for storing coins not used for replenishment; and a dischargedirection switch for switching coins discharged from said replenishmentcoin supply unit into said coin replenishment transporter or said sparetank, said controller comprising:coin supply control means, uponacceptance of a request for replenishing any coin game machine withcoins, for dispensing coins to said coin replenishment transporter fromsaid replenishment coin supply unit; and switch control means, whensending coins to said spare tank, for controlling said dischargedirection switch so as to send coins discharged from said replenishmentcoin supply unit into said spare tank and controlling operation of saidreplenishment coin supply unit so as to send coins to said spare tank.9. The coin handling mechanism as claimed in claim 8 further includingcoin branch units being provided in a one-to-one correspondence with thecoin game machines for making coins transported by said coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coingame machines, whereinsaid controller further includes coin branchcontrol means for accepting a request for replenishing any coin gamemachine with coins and causing said coin branch unit corresponding tothe coin game machine to make coins transported by said coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the coin game machine.10. The coin handling mechanism as claimed in claim 8 furtherincluding:a number-of-supplied-coins counter for counting the number ofcoins discharged from said replenishment coin supply unit; and anumber-of-collected-coins counter for counting the number of coinscollected at said coin collection transporter, said controller furtherincluding number-of-coins management means for managing the number ofhandled coins, said number-of-coins management meanscomprising:number-of-coins-in-spare-tank management means, when coinsare sent to said spare tank by switching of said switch, for calculatingthe number of coins stored in said spare tank from a count just beforethe coins are sent and a count when the coins have been sent to saidspare tank, in said number-of-supplied-coins counter and storing thecalculated number of coins; number-of-collected-coins management meansfor taking in a count of said number-of-collected-coins counter andstoring the count as the number of collected coins; andbalance-number-of-collected-coins management means for subtracting thenumber of coins in said spare tank stored in saidnumber-of-coins-in-spare-tank management means from the number ofcollected coins stored in said number-of-collected-coins managementmeans for calculating the balance number of collected coins and storingthe result.
 11. The coin handling mechanism as claimed in claim 8wherein said replenishment coin supply unit comprises a sensor fordetecting excessive storage of coins, and whereinsaid switch controlmeans comprises means being started when said sensor for detectingexcessive storage of coins detects excessive storage of coins forinstructing said switch to send coins to said spare tank based on anexcessive storage detection signal and when said sensor does not detectexcessive storage of coins, for instructing said switch to send coins tosaid coin replenishment transporter, and means for instructing saidreplenishment coin supply unit to discharge coins until the excessivestorage detection signal disappears when said sensor detects theexcessive storage of coins.
 12. The coin handling mechanism as claimedin claim 11 further including:a number-of-supplied-coins counter forcounting the number of coins discharged from said replenishment coinsupply unit; and a number-of-collected-coins counter for counting thenumber of coins collected at said coin collection transporter, saidcontroller further including number-of-coins management means formanaging the number of handled coins, said number-of-coins managementmeans further comprising:number-of-coins-in-spare-tank management means,when coins are sent to said spare tank by switching of said switch, forcalculating the number of coins stored in said spare tank from a countjust before the coins are sent and a count when the coins have been sentto said spare tank, in said number-of-supplied-coins counter and storingthe calculated number of coins; number-of-collected-coins managementmeans for taking in a count of said number-of-collected-coins counterand storing the count as the number of collected coins; andbalance-number-of-collected-coins management means for subtracting thenumber of coins in said spare tank stored in saidnumber-of-coins-in-spare-tank management means from the number ofcollected coins stored in said number-of-collected-coins managementmeans for calculating the balance number of collected coins and storingthe result.
 13. The coin handling mechanism as claimed in claim 12wherein said switch control means is also started when said controllerreceives a discharge command for discharging sales coins from outside,and is responsive to the command for instructing said switch to sendcoins to said spare tank and instructing said replenishment coin supplyunit to discharge as many coins as the balance number of collected coinsstored in said balance-number-of-collected-coins management means.
 14. Acoin handling mechanism being placed in a gaming house having at leastone coin game machine group containing a plurality of coin game machinesfor supplying coins to the coin game machine group and collecting coinstherefrom, said coin handling mechanism comprising:a replenishmentconveyor being placed along the coin game machine group for transportingcoins; a coin holding vessel for storing replenishment coins anddischarging coins; a supply hopper for receiving and temporarily storingthe coins discharged from said coin holding vessel and supplying coinsto said coin replenishment transporter; coin branch units being providedin a one-to-one correspondence with the coin game machines and placedalong said replenishment conveyor; a collection conveyor fortransporting coins received from the coin game machines; a coin lifterfor further transporting the coins transported on said collectionconveyor to said coin holding vessel and storing the coins therein; acollection passage being placed between a termination of saidreplenishment conveyor and said collection conveyor for collecting coinsnot made to branch by said coin branch units and remaining on saidreplenishment conveyor and guiding the remaining coins to saidcollection conveyor; a controller for controlling operation of saidcomponents; and a plurality of jam detection sensors being placed at aposition where coins shift from said supply hopper to said replenishmentconveyor, a position where coins shift from said replenishment conveyorto each coin branch unit, a position where coins shift from saidcollection passage to said collection conveyor, and a position wherecoins shift from a termination of said collection conveyor to said coinlifter for detecting a coin jam and sending a coin jam detection signalto said controller; said controller including jam countermeasure processmeans for controlling operation of the parts of said coin handlingmechanism upon receipt of a coin jam detection signal from any of saidjam detection sensors, whereinsaid jam countermeasure process meanspreviously stores a list of information specifying an equipment whoseoperation is to be stopped in relation to said jam detection sensors andupon receipt of a jam detection signal from any of said jam detectionsensors, reads the information specifying the equipment whose operationis to be stopped corresponding to said jam detection sensor from thestored list and outputs an instruction for stopping the operation to thespecified equipment.
 15. The coin handling mechanism as claimed in claim14 wherein each of said jam detection sensors continues to send a coinjam detection signal while detecting a coin jam, and whereinwhen thecoin jam detection signal output from any of said jam detection sensorscontinues for a first predetermined time, said jam countermeasureprocess means determines that a jam has occurred, and outputs anoperation stop instruction to the specified equipment and after that,when duration of the coin jam detection signal does not reach a secondpredetermined time, determines that the jam has cleared and releases theoperation stop instruction.
 16. The coin handling mechanism as claimedin claim 14 wherein each of said replenishment conveyor, said collectionconveyor, and said coin lifter comprises a drive motor and a motormonitor sensor for monitoring a rotation state of said motor,whereinsaid controller further includes motor error countermeasureprocess means for controlling operation of the parts of said coinhandling mechanism upon receipt of a signal indicating a motor rotationerror from any of said motor monitor sensors, and whereinsaid motorerror countermeasure process means previously stores a list ofinformation specifying an equipment whose operation is to be stopped inrelation to said motor monitor sensors and upon receipt of a signalindicating a motor rotation error from any of said motor monitorsensors, reads the information specifying the equipment whose operationis to be stopped corresponding to said motor monitor sensor from thestored list and outputs an instruction for stopping the operation to thespecified equipment.
 17. The equipment as claimed in claim 16 whoseoperation is to be stopped, previously stored in said motor errorcountermeasure process means, are the equipment previously specified byeach motor monitor sensors from among said supply hopper, saidreplenishment conveyor, said collection conveyor, and said coin lifter,whereinthe equipment specified by each motor monitor sensors are: one ofthe equipment provided with said motor monitor sensors and the equipmentpreceding said equipment when sequential arrangement of the equipment isin the order of said supply hopper, said replenishment conveyor, saidcollection conveyor, and said coin lifter.
 18. A gaming facility havinga coin game machine group to which a plurality of coin game machinesbelong and a coin handling mechanism for supplying coins to said coingame machines, characterized in thateach of said coin game machinescomprises:a coin acceptor for accepting coin input; a game executionsection for executing a predetermined game provided that coin input isaccepted by said coin acceptor and outputting a winning signalinstructing a predetermined number of coins to be paid out if a playerwins a game play; and a coin dispenser for dispensing a predeterminednumber of coins in response to the winning signal, said coin dispenserhaving a dispensing hopper for storing at least as many coins asrequired for one dispensing operation and upon acceptance of winninginformation, dispensing as many coins as the number specified by thewinning information, and that said coin handling mechanism comprises:acoin replenishment transporter for transporting coins with which saidcoin game machines are replenished; a replenishment coin supply unit forstoring replenishment coins and supplying coins to said coinreplenishment transporter; coin branch units being provided in aone-to-one correspondence with said coin game machines for making coinstransported by said coin replenishment transporter branch therefrom intothe corresponding coin dispensers; and a controller for at leastcontrolling coin replenishment, each of said dispensing hoppers having acoin quantity detection sensor for detecting a stored coin quantity,upon detection of the stored coin quantity falling below a predeterminedlower limit reference quantity, said coin quantity detection sensor foroutputting a coin quantity shortage signal to said controller, upondetection of the stored coin quantity reaching a predetermined upperlimit reference quantity, said coin quantity detection sensor foroutputting a coin quantity sufficiency signal to said controller, saidcontroller comprising:coin supply control means, upon receipt of thecoin quantity shortage signal as to any coin game machine, forcontrolling the supply of coins by issuing a coin replenishment requestto said replenishment coin supply unit supplying coins from saidreplenishment coin supply unit to said coin replenishment transporteruntil acceptance of a request to stop replenishing the coin game machinewith coins; coin branch control means, upon receipt of the coin quantityshortage signal as to any coin game machine, for causing said coinbranch unit of said coin game machine provided with said coin quantitydetection sensor outputting the coin quantity shortage signal to makecoins transported by said coin replenishment transporter branchtherefrom; coin replenishment stop process means, upon receipt of thecoin quantity sufficiency signal, for issuing a coin replenishment stoprequest to said coin supply control means for stopping coinreplenishment and after expiration of a predetermined delay time fromreceiving the coin quantity sufficiency signal, for issuing a coinreplenishment stop request to said coin branch control means forstopping the corresponding coin branch unit making coins branch; andduplicate replenishment process inhibition means for inhibiting aduplicate replenishment process of other coin game machines with coins,when said coin branch control means accepts a request for replenishingany coin game machine with coins, until completion of replenishing thecoin game machine with coins.
 19. The gaming facility as claimed inclaim 18 wherein said duplicate replenishment process inhibition meansreleases inhibition of the duplicate replenishment process with coinsafter the coin branch operation of said coin branch unit is stopped. 20.The gaming facility as claimed in claim 19 wherein the delay time ofsaid coin replenishment stop process means is set to the time equivalentto the time required until the last of coins dispensed from saidreplenishment coin supply unit to said coin replenishment transporterjust before a replenishment stop instruction of said coin supply controlmeans arrives at said coin branch unit of said coin game machine at aposition most distant from said replenishment coin supply unit and ismade to branch by said coin branch unit.
 21. The gaming facility asclaimed in claim 20 wherein said duplicate replenishment processinhibition means releases inhibition of the duplicate replenishmentprocess with coins after the coin branch operation of said coin branchunit is stopped.
 22. A gaming facility having a coin game machine groupto which a plurality of coin game machines belong and a coin handlingmechanism for supplying coins to said coin game machines, characterizedin thateach of said coin game machines comprises:a coin acceptor foraccepting coin input; a game execution section for executing apredetermined game provided that coin input is accepted by said coinacceptor and outputting a winning signal instructing a predeterminednumber of coins to be paid out if a player wins a game play; and a coindispenser for dispensing a predetermined number of coins in response tothe winning signal, and that said coin handling mechanism comprises:acoin replenishment transporter for transporting coins with which saidcoin game machines are replenished; a replenishment coin supply unitthat comprises a coin holding vessel for storing replenishment coinstherein and supplies coins stored in said coin holding vessel to saidcoin replenishment transporter; a coin collection transporter fortransporting and collecting coins that at least receives coins from saidcoin acceptor to transport and collect the coins; a coin lifter thatreceives the coins transported by said coin collection transporter andtransports the coins while lifting up the coins to said coin holdingvessel; coin branch units being provided in a one-to-one correspondencewith said coin game machines for making coins transported by said coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coindispensers; and a controller for at least controlling coinreplenishment, said coin handling mechanism further including:a sparetank for storing coins; and a discharge direction switch being locatedbetween said replenishment coin supply unit and said coin replenishmenttransporter for switching coins discharged from said replenishment coinsupply unit into said coin replenishment transporter or said spare tank,said controller comprising:coin supply control means, upon acceptance ofa request for replenishing any coin game machine with coins, fordispensing coins to said coin replenishment transporter from saidreplenishment coin supply unit; coin branch control means, uponacceptance of a request for replenishing any coin game machine withcoins, for causing said coin branch unit corresponding to the coin gamemachine outputting the replenishing request signal to make coinstransported by said coin replenishment transporter branch therefrom; andswitch control means, when sending coins to said spare tank, forcontrolling said discharge direction switch so as to switch coinsdischarged from said replenishment coin supply unit into said spare tankand controlling operation of said replenishment coin supply unit so asto send coins to said spare tank.
 23. The gaming facility as claimed inclaim 22 wherein said replenishment coin supply unit comprises a sensorfor detecting excessive storage of coins stored therein, and whereinsaidswitch control means comprises means being started when said sensor fordetecting excessive storage of coins detects excessive storage of coinsfor instructing said switch to send coins to said spare tank based on anexcessive storage detection signal and when said sensor does not detectexcessive storage of coins, for instructing said switch to send coins tosaid coin replenishment transporter, and means for instructing saidreplenishment coin supply unit to discharge coins until the excessivestorage detection signal disappears when said sensor detects theexcessive storage of coins.
 24. The gaming facility as claimed in claim23 further including:a number-of-supplied-coins counter for counting thenumber of coins discharged from said replenishment coin supply unit; anda number-of-collected-coins counter for counting the number of coinscollected at said coin collection transporter saidnumber-of-supplied-coins counter being placed at a position where coinsare discharged from said supply hopper, said controller furtherincluding number-of-coins management means for managing the number ofhandled coins, said number-of-coins management meanscomprising:number-of-coins-in-spare-tank management means, when coinsare sent to said spare tank by switching of said switch, for calculatingthe number of coins stored in said spare tank from a count just beforethe coins are sent and a count when the coins have been sent to saidspare tank, in said number-of-supplied-coins counter and storing thecalculated number of coins; number-of-collected-coins management meansfor taking in a count of said number-of-collected-coins counter andstoring the count as the number of collected coins; andbalance-number-of-collected-coins management means for subtracting thenumber of coins in said spare tank stored in saidnumber-of-coins-in-spare-tank management means from the number ofcollected coins stored in said number-of-collected-coins managementmeans for calculating the balance number of collected coins and storingthe result.
 25. The gaming facility as claimed in claim 24 wherein saidreplenishment coin supply unit comprises a sensor for detectingexcessive storage of coins stored therein, and whereinsaid switchcontrol means is also started when said controller receives a dischargecommand for discharging sales coins from an outside, and is responsiveto the command for instructing said switch to send coins to said sparetank and instructing said replenishment coin supply unit to discharge asmany coins as the balance number of collected coins stored in saidbalance-number-of-collected-coins management means.
 26. A coin handlingmechanism being placed in a gaming house having at least one coin gamemachine group containing a plurality of coin game machines for supplyingcoins to the coin game machines belonging to the coin game machinegroup, said coin handling mechanism comprising:a coin replenishmenttransporter for transporting coins with which the coin game machinesbelonging to the coin game machine group are replenished; areplenishment coin supply unit for storing replenishment coins andsupplying coins to said coin replenishment transporter; coin branchunits being provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the coin gamemachines for making coins transported by said coin replenishmenttransporter branch therefrom into the corresponding coin game machines;a controller for at least controlling coin replenishment, saidcontroller comprising:coin branch control means for accepting a requestfor replenishing any coin game machine with coins and causing said coinbranch unit corresponding to the coin game machine to make coinstransported by said coin replenishment transporter branch therefrom intothe coin game machine; and duplicate replenishment process inhibitionmeans for inhibiting a duplicate replenishment process of other coingame machines with coins, when said coin branch control means accepts arequest for replenishing any coin game machine with coins, untilcompletion of replenishing the coin game machine with coins.
 27. Thecoin handling mechanism as claimed in claim 26 further including anumber-of-supplied-coins counter for counting the number of coinsdischarged from said replenishment coin supply unit, whereinsaidcontroller comprises coin supply control means for accepting a requestfor replenishing any coin game machine with coins and dispensing apredetermined number of coins to said coin replenishment transporterfrom said replenishment coin supply unit by making reference to a countof said number-of-supplied-coins counter.
 28. The coin handlingmechanism as claimed in claim 27 wherein said coin branch control meanscomprises means for stopping the coin branch operation of the coinbranch unit corresponding to the coin game machine making areplenishment request after expiration of at least the time equivalentto the time required until the last coin dispensed arrives at the coinbranch unit and is made to branch by the coin branch unit after apredetermined number of coins are dispensed from said replenishment coinsupply unit to said coin replenishment transporter under the control ofsaid coin supply control means.
 29. A gaming facility having a coin gamemachine group to which a plurality of coin game machines belong and acoin handling mechanism for supplying coins to said coin game machines,characterized in thateach of said coin game machines comprises:a coinacceptor for accepting coin input; a game execution section forexecuting a predetermined game provided that coin input is accepted bysaid coin acceptor and outputting a winning signal instructing apredetermined number of coins to be paid out if a player wins a gameplay; and a coin dispenser for dispensing a predetermined number ofcoins in response to the winning signal, said coin dispenser having adispensing hopper for storing at least as many coins as required for onedispensing operation, and upon acceptance of winning information,dispensing as many coins as the number specified by the winninginformation, and that said coin handling mechanism comprises:a coinreplenishment transporter for transporting coins with which said coingame machines are replenished; a replenishment coin supply unit forstoring replenishment coins and supplying coins to said coinreplenishment transporter; coin branch units being provided in aone-to-one correspondence with said coin game machines for making coinstransported by said coin replenishment transporter branch therefrom intothe corresponding coin dispensers; a number-of-supplied-coins counterfor counting the number of coins discharged from said replenishment coinsupply unit; and a controller for at least controlling coinreplenishment, said controller comprising:coin supply control means foraccepting a request for replenishing any coin game machine with coinsand dispensing a predetermined number of coins to said coinreplenishment transporter from said replenishment coin supply by makingreference to a counter of said number-of-supplied-coins counter; coinbranch control means for accepting a request for replenishing any coingame machine with coins and causing said coin branch unit correspondingto the coin game machine to make coins transported by said coinreplenishment transporter branch therefrom into the coin game machine;and duplicate replenishment process inhibition means for inhibiting aduplicate replenishment process of other coin game machines with coins,when said coin branch control means accepts a request for replenishingany coin game machine with coins, until completion of replenishing thecoin game machine with coins.
 30. The gaming facility as claimed inclaim 29 wherein each of said dispensing hoppers has a coin quantitydetection sensor for detecting a stored coin quantity, upon detection ofthe stored coin quantity falling below a predetermined lower limitreference quantity, said coin quantity detection sensor for outputting acoin quantity shortage signal to said controller, and whereinwhenreceiving the coin quantity shortage signal, said controller starts saidcoin supply control means and said coin branch control means and issuesa coin replenishment request for dispensing coins from saidreplenishment coin supply unit to said coin replenishment transporterand causing said coin branch unit of said coin game machine providedwith said coin quantity detection sensor outputting the coin quantityshortage signal to make coins transported by said coin replenishmenttransporter branch therefrom.
 31. The gaming facility as claimed inclaim 30 wherein said coin branch control means comprises means forstopping the coin branch operation of the coin branch unit correspondingto the coin game machine making a replenishment request after expirationof at least the time equivalent to the time required until the last coindispensed arrives at the coin branch unit and is made to branch by thecoin branch unit after a predetermined number of coins are dispensedfrom said replenishment coin supply unit to said coin replenishmenttransporter under the control of said coin supply control means.
 32. Thegaming facility as claimed in claim 31 wherein said duplicatereplenishment process inhibition means releases inhibition of thereplenishment process with coins after the coin branch operation of saidcoin branch unit is stopped.
 33. A coin handling mechanism being placedin a gaming house having at least one coin game machine group containinga plurality of coin game machines for at least replenishing the coingame machines belonging to the coin game machine group with coins, saidcoin handling mechanism comprising:an equipment group containing aplurality of equipment for at least replenishing the coin game machineswith coins; a controller for controlling operation of said equipmentgroup; and a plurality of jam detection sensors being placed at aplurality of points of said equipment group each for detecting a coinjam and sending a coin jam detection signal to said controller, saidcontroller having jam countermeasure process means for controllingoperation for said equipment group upon receipt of a coin jam detectionsignal from any of said jam detection sensors, said jam countermeasureprocess means having means for previously storing a list of informationspecifying the equipment in said equipment group whose operation is tobe stopped in relation to said jam detection sensors and means, uponreceipt of a jam detection signal from any of said jam detectionsensors, for reading the information specifying the equipment whoseoperation is to be stopped corresponding to said jam detection sensorfrom the stored list and outputting an instruction for stopping theoperation to the specified machines.
 34. The coin handling mechanism asclaimed in claim 33 wherein each of said jam detection sensors continuesto send a coin jam detection signal while detecting a coin jam, andwhereinwhen the coin jam detection signal output from any of said jamdetection sensors continues for a first predetermined time, said jamcountermeasure process means determines that a jam has occurred, andoutputs an operation stop instruction to the specified equipment andafter this, when duration of the coin jam detection signal does notreach a second predetermined time, determines that the jam has clearedand releases the operation stop instruction.
 35. A coin handlingmechanism being placed in a gaming house having at least one coin gamemachine group containing a plurality of coin game machines for at leastreplenishing the coin game machines belonging to the coin game machinegroup with coins, said coin handling mechanism comprising:a machinegroup containing a plurality of equipment for at least replenishing thecoin game machines with coins, at least some of the equipment in saidequipment group having a motor; a controller for controlling operationof said equipment group; and motor monitor sensors for monitoring arotation state for each motor contained in said equipment group, saidcontroller further including motor error countermeasure process meansfor controlling operation of said equipment group upon receipt of asignal indicating a motor rotation error from any of said motor monitorsensors, said motor error countermeasure process means having means forpreviously storing a list of information specifying an equipment whoseoperation is to be stopped in relation to said motor monitor sensors andmeans, upon receipt of a signal indicating a motor rotation error fromany of said motor monitor sensors, for reading the informationspecifying the equipment whose operation is to be stopped correspondingto said motor monitor sensor from the stored list and outputting aninstruction for stopping the operation to the specified equipment.